Company Profile: Fire Your Boss Academy is a coaching and consulting firm where we specialize in helping people make the full transition from employee to entrepreneur in 12 months or less. The customer base is motivated women who are super tired of being in miserable jobs and not walking in their passion full-time. Our services include home study courses and exclusive one-on-one private coaching for applicants that have been admitted.

Kyshira Moffet: What sparked your interest in business coaching and why did you decide to start your business?

Raevyn Jones: This business was started from a God-idea, not a good idea. I was actually in a completely different industry and thought that was my “passion.” That business was not doing well at all and I came across coaching. I knew it was something that was naturally in me and that I could do it with my eyes closed, but I still was not interested. This was 2012 and it was my first full year being self-employed and I was making peanuts, barely. Someone reached out to me and asked if they could have a coaching session with me. I laughed thinking wow, God is really, really funny.

She asked and I knew I could charge her, but I only agreed because I knew it came so naturally to me so I was thinking okay we will see about this. Fast forward to about a week later, she paid the super low investment to coach with me (I didn’t know my worth at that time) and two lives were changed. She was able to finally get motivated to start her business which is still very successful today, and God literally slapped my calling right in my face. I knew this was major and I knew that God was going to use me to change so many lives. 2012 was one of the most challenging years for me, but grace got me through and it is still a year that I celebrate. At that time, I could not see any of what is happening now, but I pushed through because I knew there were lives to be changed. That is what constantly keeps me going. I love the fact that I get to make a difference in the lives of my clients and their families, and I love bragging about the success of my clients because they inspire me more than they know! So to answer your question after all of that LOL, God and my clients – past, present, and future – are the reason this business was born.

KM: What’s the biggest mistake new entrepreneurs tend to make?

RJ: People who start the journey alone without a coach tend to make many mistakes but if I had to pick the biggest one I would say expecting support from the very beginning. It can be very challenging to have a vision that is so amazing, but no one sees or understands it but you. Newbie entrepreneurs get so excited in telling people their ideas and people respond with telling them a bunch of reasons why it won’t work, it is very hurtful and I know the feeling because I have been there myself. Instead of creating a support system of influential people that will motivate and encourage them, they constantly run to people who are hazardous to the entrepreneur mindset. If you want to start a business and become self-employed, which is possible beyond your wildest dreams, then the last thing you want to do is talk to Mrs. Negative Nancy who is married to the idea that we are supposed to work jobs for the rest of our lives, never be fulfilled, and never receive the abundance that God promises us.

When you see Nancy, RUN! You can’t talk to everyone about your dreams.

KM: What tools or resources would you recommend new entrepreneurs invest in immediately?

RJ: There are a couple of resources that I would recommend entrepreneurs invest in immediately:

1. Books – They are darn near free these days. I always tell my clients to read more books about their industry for several reasons – the knowledge acquired, but also because of how it can increase confidence. You should be able to speak fluently about your industry and it starts with educating yourself. It is not enough to just be a life coach. Industry related books can help you understand the impact your business makes and why there is a need for it in the marketplace.

2. Coaches – So all the time I see people who are doing okay, but could be doing way better a lot faster if they were learning from someone else’s mistakes. Coaching is a big investment, I have invested over $40,000 in coaching/personal development alone. So this can make some people hesitant, however people have to see the bigger picture. If you are working with the right coach, then coaching is the reason why you will reach six figures in six months vs. six years trying to do it on your own. Also, in the beginning it always feels like the journey is the hardest. That is the stage when you feel like giving up daily. It is even harder not to give up when there is no one screaming in your ear, the one million reasons (literally) why you don’t need to give up.

3. Conferences– Step away from your social media outlets where everyone else is hiding, people like to put a face and a hug (I am a hugger) to the name. Come out and meet people at reputable events. There is a conference for everything. I have met some of the most amazing people and wonderful connections at conferences. In fact, this interview stemmed from a relationship that was birthed at a conference.

Related: 3 Reasons to Invest in a Conference

KM: Many Empirelista’s are interested in starting a business, what are some tips for gaining exposure for your business?

RJ:

Tip 1: Be your best client. I got attraction to my business early on because I was letting people into the day in the life as an entrepreneur and being very transparent. There are people who have been connected with me on social media for years and have seen the transformation. What I do is not just evident in my clients, it is evident in me.

Tip 2: Know who your ideal client is and know what keeps them up at night. If you know these things down to even the smallest elements, then you will know exactly where to find them, and how to have them find you. This is one of the exercises my clients always want to slap me for LOL, but they are grateful in the end. This will save you time, money, and make you money.

Tip 3: Don’t be a cheapie with marketing. Being in business is not cheap, you have to constantly invest. So many times people ask about exposure and they are like well this is too expensive and so on, well…..the best things in life are not free and the next best things are pricey. Don’t try to take the shortcut with marketing for your business. You want to do your research or hire a professional that will assist you in implementing a proven marketing plan, but understand that it will come with some investments.

KM: How do you balance your business and your personal life?

RJ: I don’t LOL. Just kidding! I balance the two because I know when to shut it all down. I have friends (love them all dearly) who will text me all day because they know that I make my own schedule. You have to discipline yourself to know when it’s time to go into room A to focus and leave your iPhone in room B. Also, stop and take a vacation so that you can regroup. The “grind don’t stop movement” is so corny to me, you need to stop and recharge and get new inspiration. I recommend going on one vacation a year without your laptop. If you are in your early entrepreneur days and can’t afford a vacation, then book a hotel for a night or two and relax by the pool. Also, on a day-to-day basis make sure you are getting your rest! The “team no sleep movement” is corny too.

KM: Where do you envision Fire Your Boss Academy going in the future?

RJ: Well, I envision a totally new name (hint, hint!). But outside of that I see my business serving thousands of people at a time. I see us expanding globally and offering home study courses in a million different languages. I also can see us doing more for college students because I wish that I knew 10 years ago, I started college in 2006, what I know now.

KM:What’s the one piece of advice you wish you would have had when you first started your business?

RJ: I wish I would have known not to worry about anything. I spent so much time worry when I should have been working and knowing that God would take care of me. You can’t worry and say you trust him at the same time. I know there are so many entrepreneurs who sit up at night worrying like when will I get my moment. Don’t worry, he has you all covered but you need to do your part too. I believe that everything works out how it is supposed to but it so important not to overwhelm yourself with unnecessary worrying.

Kyshira Moffett, MBA is a millennial career and personal brand consultant. She is also the creator of thisisHERmovement.com, a careers, branding and lifestyle blog. She hosts a monthly Twitter chat, #HERmovement which features special guest experts on a variety of topics. Learn more by following her on Twitter, @Kyshira.

1 Comment

Thank God I stumbled upon this interview! I promise you, I was just praying about this today. Thank you both for taking the time to put this piece together! Raevyn, thank you for being so real and transparent (even in this interview). The advice you shared was so timely; it was just for me! I am looking forward to taking my business to the next level (I will no longer be a “cheapie” lol). I’ve always thought that because I am a natural born coach, that I didn’t need a coach. Totally not true! I, too, need help and direction. Thank you! Thank you! Looking forward to connecting with you both!